MCT's 'Sound of Music' is a colossal hit

Milam Community Theatre's production of "The Sound of Music" is truly a county-wide effort. In fact, there are probably some of your friends, relatives and/or neighbors in the 30-member cast of children and adults.

Besides Cameron actors and actresses, there are people you know from Rockdale, Milano, Gause, Minerva and Bastrop. And while you may not know the stars of the show—Debbie Cable Brown from Harker Heights as Maria, Buzz Rahm, Captain von Trapp, from Morgan's Point, and Maurina W. Corley as Mother Abbess, library administrator from Cameron—you will feel very acquainted with them before the show is over.

We attended the Sunday afternoon matinee and were totally thrilled with the show. It moved at an extremely fast pace—no down moments or lulls as some plays have—and was enjoyable from the beginning. The music was great and the musical numbers featured more talent than you can imagine in little Milam County.

From Rockdale are almost all of the members of the Lee and Leah Thomason family from the youngest, Sophie, to Shelby and Elisabeth, and Mom and Dad are members of the pit orchestra. Three members of the Whitmire family of Milano are cast members, Ashton, Carter and Taylor who are the children of Bill and Raychel Whitmire.

Making it another family affair were Mom Iris Guthrie, son Tennyson and daughter Stonie Lynn from Milano/Rockdale. I don't know what they did with husband/father Melton during all those long rehearsals and performances. Others you might know include Kaeley Beard of Minerva, an RHS senior; Hugo Ayala, an RHS junior; Thomas Merka, a recent RHS graduates; and Bob Burnett who played baritone in the orchestra.

In case you need a refresher about the story, this brief synopsis was given in the program. "The show tells the story of Maria, a young postulant living in a convent who is sent away to serve as temporary governess for the seven children of Captain George von Trapp, a retired Austrian Naval officer. The Captain, a widower, runs his household with the same iron discipline that he ran his ship. The children are unhappy and resentful of the governesses that their father keeps hiring. Maria wins over the children and teaches them—and the Captain— to love music and to sing and brings some much-needed joy into their lives.

"Eventually the Captain and Maria find themselves falling in love, even though the romance makes them both question some life decisions they've made. However, their personal conflicts soon become overshadowed by world events as Germany invades Austria and the Captain finds himself drafted into the German navy."

In case you don't remember all the story, you will certainly remember all the familiar songs from the musical and will find yourself singing along (or humming at the very least) with them.

There are two more performances, Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoon, 2 p.m. It is staged in the beautiful Cameron ISD Performing Arts Center at the high school and tickets are available at the door.

I hope you will be able to attend one of these shows—it will have you singing (even if only in the shower) for days, maybe even weeks.

—pc—

I must pass on this easy-as pie recipe which is also on the low-calorie side. My sister Judy Hopper and her grandson Cameron Ryals were here last weekend and Judy made this for all of us. It is yummy and didn't even taste like any calories were missing!

Low-Cal Cake 1 box any flavor cake mix

1 12oz. can/bottle diet drink

Mix together well and bake in a 9x13-inch pan for thirty minutes in a 350 degree oven. Frost with light whipped top- ping and top with lightly sugared fresh fruit, if desired. You could sweeten the fruit with artifical sweetener if desired.

Judy used a white cake mix and a Diet Sprite drink. She put fresh strawberries and blueberries on top and refrigerated until serving time. She suggested other flavors, white cake mix with strawberry drink or orange drink and use mandarin oranges on top. You can use your imagination and make up your own flavors. This is one you will want to keep in your files for a quick dessert—somewhat good for you!